After a promising start to the 2026 season, FC Cincinnati has its back against the wall more than at any time in recent memory.
After squandering a three-goal lead and a late advantage in their Concacaf Champions Cup match against Mexican side Tigres, eliminating them from the competition, Cincinnati has a quick turnaround as they try to turn around their fortunes in the Major League Soccer season.
Cincinnati hosts CF Montréal 1 p.m. Sunday, March 22 at TQL Stadium. Cincy, 1-3-0 in MLS play, will try to snap a three-game losing streak in MLS action.
“Certainly there’s disappointment, there’s frustration,” said head coach Pat Noonan. “So what we’ve kind of communicated this whole stretch is, good or bad performances, good or bad results, we have to turn it around quickly. It’s a quick turnaround and we have to pick our head up and go play and perform in front of our fans.”
Cincinnati gave up 11 goals last week, six to New England and five to Tigres. Noonan said March 21 that there is no simple fix to those issues, that the team has to refocus on defensive principles and tactics, regain confidence and focus, and get more vocal leadership on the field.
Noonan said three of the goals Tigres scored were difficult shots but his team still could have done more to prevent that shot from happening.
“I think a lot of it’s box defending,” he said. “(How we defend) is certainly not at a level that they need to be, whether it’s how we’re losing the ball or how we’re losing the space in being able to defend in transition or in the run of play. So too many things to say, it’s been one aspect of our defensive posture or some individual duels, but we have to continue to address it and not hide from it.”
Noonan said the mental side of defending is just as important.
“A lot of it is basics, sometimes simplifying things for guys to help with decision making,” he said. “You try to make simple adjustments or give simple details to not overcomplicate things when you can see that confidence is lost. So that was our initial approach to the lead up to this game and maybe then the more complex things become easier to deal with, because you get the basic things right.”
FC Cincinnati missing Matt Miazga’s vocal leadership
Former MLS Defender of the Year Matt Miazga is rounding back into form after offseason knee surgery, and has been more of a presence in training.
His overall vocal leadership and communication with teammates during games have been missed this season, Noonan said.
“Matt does that in a more natural way, and so structurally, you know how he reads the game, he can position guys next to him in a way where they hear him, and the communication is effective, and that’s been a part of our game that’s been missing,” he said.
Miazga has always been a fiery and vocal presence, and Noonan addressed the need for others to follow his lead March 21.
“It’s something that we’ve talked about at length, because it needs to improve within the group,” he said. “Because sometimes it’s too quiet, and especially when things get tough, who’s there to guide the group? Or a voice that you can lean on, or voices that you can lean on to problem-solve, or to just have the right energy and confidence. I would say it’s still something that needs to improve within the group.”
A fast start would be helpful to the team’s confidence, and Cincinnati has enjoyed such starts several times against Montréal. Cincinnati has seven wins all-time against Montreal in the regular season, and have scored seven goals in the opening 15 minutes of a match, three more than they have against any other league opponent.
How to watch and follow Cincinnati vs. Montréal
Watch: Apple TV (English and Spanish); English Local Radio: iHeart Media Fox Sports 1360; Spanish Local Radio: La Mega 101.5 FM
Kids’ Day is a family-friendly matchday celebration filled with fun and excitement for our young fans. Celebrations include unique in-stadium opportunities for young fans like delivering the game ball and participating in special roles during the match.
About CF Montréal
Montréal is tied with Cincinnati for ninth place in the Eastern Conference with 3 points. Both teams are 1-3. Montréal is minus-6 on goal differential, one worse than Cincy’s minus-5.
Montréal has six straight road games to start the MLS season. Their one win was a 3-0 stunner at Red Bull New York. They also have a 5-0 loss at San Diego, 3-0 at Chicago and 2-1 at Orlando.
On the flip side, they haven’t played in eight days while Cincinnati has a quick turnaround after playing in northern Mexico March 19.
Prince Owusu and Wikelman Carmona have two goals apiece for the Canadian side.
Marco Donadel is in his first full season as manager of CF Montréal. The former player and assistant for the club was named interim early in 2025 after a coaching change after five matches. He was named the club’s coach on a permanent basis following the 2025 season.
Noonan said the team has more MLS experience than last year.
“I think they’ve shown a balance of playing direct. They have Owusu who’s, for me, an excellent target striker, how he uses his body, how he gets the midfield and the wide guys into play, how he runs in behind, how he moves in front of goal,” Noonan said. “I think he is consistently improving, so he’s a handful. Those are some of the things that have stood out for us. But, yeah, it’ll be a good challenge.”
FC Cincinnati players will be busy during the international break
Following Sunday’s match comes the March FIFA International Window, and a two-week break from play as Cincinnati’s next game is April 4 at Red Bull New York.
It will be a busy window for FC Cincinnati players. Already announced include Roman Celentano and Miles Robinson (USA), Pavel Bucha (Czechia), Kévin Denkey (Togo), Gerardo ‘Dado’ Valenzuela (USA U21), Andrei Chirila (USA U18), Ademar Chávez (USA U17). Noonan said there will be 10 players in total traveling to their national teams. Two others, Ender Echenique (visa) and Stefan Chirila (injury) have been called up but will not travel.
Bucha will help Czechia try to qualify for the FIFA World Cup through the UEFA playoffs. Czechia will have to win two matches this month to advance.
Valenzuela and the U21s will head to Cheonan-si, South Korea for a training camp from March 23-31. During the camp, the U21 MNT will play matches against Japan U21 on March 27 (2 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. local) and Korea Republic U23 on March 31 (6 a.m. ET / 7 p.m. local).
